Variable Segments Research Articles

Tree Crown Segmentation and Diameter at Breast Height Prediction Based on BlendMask in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery

The surveying of forestry resources has recently shifted toward precision and real-time monitoring. This study utilized the BlendMask algorithm for accurately outlining tree crowns and introduced a Bayesian neural network to create a model linking individual tree crown size with diameter at breast height (DBH). BlendMask accurately outlines tree crown shapes and contours, outperforming traditional watershed algorithms in segmentation accuracy while preserving edge details across different scales. Subsequently, the Bayesian neural network constructs a model predicting DBH from the measured crown area, providing essential data for managing forest resources and conducting biodiversity research. Evaluation metrics like precision rate, recall rate, F1-score, and mAP index comprehensively assess the method’s performance regarding tree density. BlendMask demonstrated higher accuracy at 0.893 compared to the traditional watershed algorithm’s 0.721 accuracy based on experimental results. Importantly, BlendMask effectively handles over-segmentation problems while preserving edge details across different scales. Moreover, adjusting parameters during execution allows for flexibility in achieving diverse image segmentation effects. This study addresses image segmentation challenges and builds a model linking crown area to DBH using the BlendMask algorithm and a Bayesian neural network. The average discrepancies between calculated and measured DBH for Ginkgo biloba, Pinus tabuliformis, and Populus nigra varitalica were 0.15 cm, 0.29 cm, and 0.49cm, respectively, all within the acceptable forestry error margin of 1 cm. BlendMask, besides its effectiveness in crown segmentation, proves useful for various vegetation classification tasks like broad-leaved forests, coniferous forests, and grasslands. With abundant training data and ongoing parameter adjustments, BlendMask attains improved classification accuracy. This new approach shows great potential for real-world use, offering crucial data for managing forest resources, biodiversity research, and related fields, aiding decision-making processes.

Effect of BAFF blockade on the B cell receptor repertoire and transcriptome in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease. Anti-B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) therapy effectively depletes B cells and reduces SLE disease activity. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of BAFF blockade on B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire and gene expression. Through next-generation sequencing, we analyzed gene expression and BCR repertoire in MRL/lpr mice that received long-term anti-BAFF therapy. Based on gene expression profiles, we predicted the relative proportion of immune cells using ImmuCellAI-mouse, validating our predictions via flow cytometry and FluoroSpot. The loss of BCR repertoire diversity and richness, along with increased clonality and differential frequency distribution of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) segment gene usage, were observed in BAFF-blockade mice. Meanwhile, the distribution of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) length and CDR3 amino acid usage remained unaffected. BAFF blockade resulted in extensive changes in gene expression, particularly that of genes related to B cells and immunoglobulins. Besides, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α responses and interferon (IFN)-α/γ were downregulated, consistent with the decrease in IFN-γ and TNF-α serum levels following anti-BAFF therapy. In addition, BAFF blockade significantly reduced B cell subpopulations and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and caused the depletion of antibody-secreting cells. Our comparative BCR repertoire and transcriptome analyses of MRL/lpr mice subjected to BAFF blockade provide innovative insights into the molecular pathophysiology of SLE.

Challenges in estimating effective population sizes from metagenome-assembled genomes.

Effective population size (Ne) plays a critical role in shaping the relative efficiency between natural selection and genetic drift, thereby serving as a cornerstone for understanding microbial ecological dynamics. Direct Ne estimation relies on neutral genetic diversity within closely related genomes, which is, however, often constrained by the culturing difficulties for the vast majority of prokaryotic lineages. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) offer a high-throughput alternative for genomic data acquisition, yet their accuracy in Ne estimation has not been fully verified. This study examines the Thermococcus genus, comprising 66 isolated strains and 29 MAGs, to evaluate the reliability of MAGs in Ne estimation. Despite the even distribution across the Thermococcus phylogeny and the comparable internal average nucleotide identity (ANI) between isolate populations and MAG populations, our results reveal consistently lower Ne estimates from MAG populations. This trend of underestimation is also observed in various MAG populations across three other bacterial genera. The underrepresentation of genetic variation in MAGs, including loss of allele frequency data and variable genomic segments, likely contributes to the underestimation of Ne. Our findings underscore the necessity for caution when employing MAGs for evolutionary studies, which often depend on high-quality genome assemblies and nucleotide-level diversity.

Visitor Behaviour During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kintamani Agroecotourism, Bali, Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered agro-ecotourism's economic, social, and environmental benefits. Previous studies have ignored visitor experiences, sustainability, and secondary data. A pandemic-era field assessment of Kintamani agro-ecotourism fills this gap. Purposive sampling was used to select 100 local visitors for the survey. Perceptual class intervals and WarpPLS 7.0 were used to analyze the data. Kintamani agro-ecotourism destination services and guest loyalty scored the highest. Attributes and service quality affected visitor satisfaction and loyalty, whereas the CHSE program measures did not. These findings include improving attributes and service quality, encouraging sustainability, collaborating with local communities and stakeholders, and developing innovative products and services for Kintamani agro ecotourism. Diverse market segments may be immersed in a region's culture and nature. Kintamani agro-ecotourism requires strong branding, marketing, and data-driven decision-making. Crisis management plans and sustainable infrastructure can help agro-ecotourism to survive unexpected disasters. Agro-ecotourism in Kintamani depends on the adaptation, innovation, and preservation of a region's natural and cultural legacy.

Multi-Level Object-Aware Guidance Network for Biomedical Image Segmentation

Most state-of-the-art models for biomedical image segmentation are developed based on U-shape architecture, which has two renowned, yet mutually affected, shortcomings: 1) difficulties in capturing global long-range dependencies, and 2) semantic information dilution in the decoding process. In this paper, we propose a novel network with a new object-aware module (OAM) to effectively establish global dependencies at multiple levels within the network and compensate high-level semantic information dilution when fusing the extracted multi-level features; we call the network MOG-Net. Specifically, the OAM is designed to figure out the relations between each pixel and targeting object region and recalibrate class-level semantic information according to the relations. Compared with non-local models, which construct pixel-wise global dependencies, our OAM is more efficient and target-specific, enabling us to achieve satisfactory results with less extra computational overhead. In addition, we embed a pyramid context encoder module (PCEM) in the proposed OAM to alleviate semantic information dilution; this scheme is able to bridge the spatial-semantic gap when fusing features extracted from different levels. We extensively evaluate the proposed MOG-Net on four diverse biomedical image segmentation tasks with different imaging modalities, achieving segmentation performance with 88.19%, 90.95% and 66.03% in Dice on three one-class datasets, as well as 88.83% and 87.11% in Dice for two classes on a multi-class dataset, respectively. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, consistently outperforming state-of-the-art methods in most evaluation metrics. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —Semantic segmentation of biomedical images is a critical prerequisite for subsequent diagnosis, treatment, and quantitative tasks in clinical practice. This article proposes a novel biomedical image segmentation network, namely MOG-Net, with a new object-aware module (OAM) to model global context dependencies from a category perspective and a pyramid context encoder module (PCEM) to enhance feature representation capabilities of spatial and channel dimensions. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness and generalization capability of proposed MOG-Net on diverse biomedical image segmentation tasks with different imaging modalities. We believe that our proposed method can serve as a practical clinical tool and has the potential to be applied to existing computer-aided medical systems and clinical measurement.

Genetic Characteristics of Non B Cell-Derived Immunoglobulin Genes.

It is widely acknowledged that immunoglobulins (Igs) are produced solely by B-lineage cells. The Ig gene is created by the rearrangement of a group of gene segments [variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) segments rearrangement, or V(D)J recombination], which results in the vast diversity of B cell-derived Ig responsible for recognising various antigens. Ig subsequently undergoes somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) after exposure to antigens, thus converting the low-affinity IgM to IgG, IgA, or IgE antibodies. IgM and IgD are primarily expressed in naïve B cells that have not been exposed to antigens, they do not undergo somatic hypermutation; hence, their variable region sequences remain the same as those in the germline. In contrast, IgG, IgA, and IgE are expressed in antigen-stimulated memory B cells or plasma cells, and thus, they often possess high-frequency mutations in their variable region sequences. Since the discovery that Ig can be produced by non-B cells, Qiu's group has investigated and compared the genetic characteristics of B cell-derived Ig and non-B cell-derived Ig. These findings demonstrated that non-B cell-derived Ig shares certain similarities with B cell-derived Ig in that the sequence of its constant region is identical to that of B cell-derived Ig, and its variable region is also strictly dependent on the rearrangement of V, D, and J gene segments. Moreover, akin to B cell-derived Ig, the V regions of IgM and IgD are rarely mutated, while IgG, IgA, and IgE produced by cancer cells are frequently mutated. However, the non-B cell-derived Ig V region sequence displays unique characteristics. (1) Unlike the vast diversity of B cell-derived Igs, non-B cell-derived Igs exhibit restricted diversity; cells from the same lineage always select the same V(D)J recombination patterns; (2) Both mRNA and proteins of RAG1/RAG2 recombinase have been detected in Ig positive cancer cell lines and normal tissues. But Ig recombination could also be found in RAG1-/- and RAG2-/- mice, suggesting that they are not necessary for the rearrangement of non-B cell-derived Igs. These features of non-B cell-derived Igs suggest a potentially undiscovered mechanism of V(D)J recombination, ligation, and SHM in non-B cells, which necessitates further investigation with advanced technology in molecular biology.

Understanding Italian consumers' perceptions of tomato agricultural innovation: Exploring the nexus between sustainability, health and consumer beliefs

The growing emphasis on sustainability and health concerns has underscored the necessity for low-pesticide and safe foods, leading to increased adoption of organic production process and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). From this concept emerged the “Zero Residue" certification, while the “Nickel-free" claim serves health-related purposes. These attributes are related to consumer beliefs and, along with intrinsic quality cues such as colour, intervene in consumer decision-making process and result from technological and varietal agricultural innovation. They were evaluated alongside price to examine consumer preferences, using tomatoes as a case study. Conjoint Analysis and Ward's clustering method helped segregate Italian consumers into homogenous market segments based on their stated preferences. Organic production was the most significant attribute, followed by price, the “Nickel-free” claim, and colour. Thus, consumer demand increasingly favours environmentally sustainable and health-focused attributes. The “Zero Residue" concept offers an approach to reduce synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, appealing to environmental conscious consumers. Attributes like “Nickel-free" claim have emerged, which is important for consumers seeking innovative health features. Businesses should diversify products and employ clear labelling to inform consumers about eco-friendly practices. They should also offer competitive prices for innovative tomato products, thus implementing price segmentation may be necessary for diverse consumer segments. Policymakers can engage consumers through educational campaigns, enforce product labelling regulations highlighting health and environmental benefits, and support certification programs.

Exploring Gender-Based Differences in Banking Transactions: A Data-Driven Analysis Using Multiple Linear Models and Permutation Feature Importance

This study examines gender-based differences in financial behavior, focusing on various bank transactions and demographic factors using a large dataset from Kaggle, consisting of over one million entries. By applying multiple linear regression models and permutation feature importance rankings, the study explores how different variables, such as age, geographic location, and transactional timing, influence banking patterns across genders. The findings reveal that age is a significant predictor of transaction behavior for males, while it is less impactful for females. Geographic location, particularly “Location_West” and “Location_Other,” plays a crucial role for males but has minimal influence on females. For females, transactional timing, indicated by “TransactionHour,” shows more importance in predicting banking behaviors. In contrast, gender itself does not significantly affect transaction outcomes when controlling for other variables. Overall, the study highlights the importance of demographic and contextual factors, such as age and geography, over inherent genderbased differences. These insights provide valuable guidance for financial institutions aiming to tailor their services more effectively to meet the needs of diverse customer segments. The results emphasize the need for data-driven approaches to better understand gender-specific financial behavior and improve service offerings.

Optimizing Semantic Segmentation for Enhanced Football Analytics: A Pixel-level Approach

Semantic Segmentation, a pivotal technique in image analysis, is adeptly leveraged in this research to bolster sports analytics, with a concentrated focus on football. A comprehensive pipeline is unveiled for an in-depth analysis of a select portion of the IAUFD 100k dataset, encompassing 2030 manually annotated football images. The methodology entails a thorough evaluation and comparison of diverse semantic segmentation models, supplemented by the integration of advanced pre-processing strategies and optimal training techniques. Such a holistic approach culminates in a marked enhancement in model performance, as evidenced by a significant uptick in the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU). This research offers granular, object-oriented insights that substantially augment player tracking, action recognition, and event detection in football. The conclusive remarks of the study highlight prospective avenues for further research, emphasizing the potential incorporation of Explainable AI and advanced Metamorphic and Security Testing to fortify sports analytics.

Vaccine induction of CD4-mimicking HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in macaques

The CD4-binding site (CD4bs) is a conserved epitope on HIV-1 envelope (Env) that can be targeted by protective broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). HIV-1 vaccines have not elicited CD4bs bnAbs for many reasons, including the occlusion of CD4bs by glycans, expansion of appropriate naive B cells with immunogens, and selection of functional antibody mutations. Here, we demonstrate that immunization of macaques with a CD4bs-targeting immunogen elicits neutralizing bnAb precursors with structural and genetic features of CD4-mimicking bnAbs. Structures of the CD4bs nAb bound to HIV-1 Env demonstrated binding angles and heavy-chain interactions characteristic of all known human CD4-mimicking bnAbs. Macaque nAb were derived from variable and joining gene segments orthologous to the genes of human VH1-46-class bnAb. This vaccine study initiated in primates the B cells from which CD4bs bnAbs can derive, accomplishing the key first step in the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

Is Disaggregate Form of Information Value Relevant: Evidence from Indian Listed Companies

Despite its scarcity, capital is necessary for a country’s economic development. To channelise capital foreign investment, financial intermediaries such as development banks, commercial banks, investment and financial institutions, insurance and investment banks are required. The expansion of the capital market is required to encourage and steer capital formation. The capital market encourages investment while also bringing vigour and dynamism to the country’s business organisations. The availability of accounting information and financial reporting is crucial for the effectiveness of capital markets, efficient resource allocation, capital information and economic development. Prior researchers prove the relevance of accounting information as a predictor of changes in stock behaviour in particular and growth of stock market in general. To augment this aspect the relevance of segment wise information provided by companies becomes important to be studied. Hence, the present study examines the influence of segment reporting on value relevance. Stock price after 90 days from the end of the financial year has been taken as a dependent variable and various segment related dimensions as independent variable for the period 2016–2017 to 2021–2022. It employed Ohlson (1995) model and indicates that Segment reporting information has significant and positive influence on value relevance thus it clearly indicates that investor’s view segment information while making investment decisions.

Food Estate in Transmigrant Society, Central Borneo: Blessed or Curse?

The food estate program implemented in Central Borneo has elicited both positive and negative responses from diverse segments of society. The present scenario is closely intertwined with the pressing nature and consequential effects, particularly within the domains of environmental and ecosystem sciences, economics, and socio-cultural sciences. This research examines the implementation and effects of the food estate program on the transmigrant community in the Pandih Batu District, Pulang Pisau Regency, located in Central Borneo. It uses a qualitative research design. Data were gathered through observations, documentation, and interviews. The focus of this study pertains to the transmigrant community residing in the regions of Blanti, Siam, and Gadabung. Establishing a food estate in Pulang Pisau has yielded favorable outcomes within the community, including the provision of assistance and enhancements in infrastructure, particularly in terms of road accessibility for the distribution of crops. However, it also raises issues like ecosystem alterations and communal farming practices. Despite the need for the land to support the target’s achievement, people feel driven to boost the production of the agricultural products the government has set as a goal. The establishment of the food estate has resulted in a situation where farmers have become reliant on the government for the allocation of resources.

A study on the impact of regulatory challenges on the earnings of Indian street vendors : A case study of Puri district

Street vendors form a significant and diverse segment of the informal economy that operate without fixed business premises. Their contribution to the GDP cannot be ignored and they play a crucial role in the overall economic development. Despite the positive contributions, they are often subjected to different vulnerabilities and regulatory challenges being one of them. This paper is a descriptive study which aims to examine how different regulatory issues impacts the earnings of street vendors on daily basis. Statistical techniques like confirmatory factor analysis to identify the different indicators of regulatory challenges and ordinal logistic regression have been used to study its impact on earnings. Results showed that there is a strong negative relationship between regulatory issues and income which is consistent across different levels of income.

The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the United States.

The term "acupuncture" commonly refers to a non-pharmacologic therapy that is increasingly employed by diverse segments of the population for a wide variety of complaints including pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, frozen shoulder, and other issues. The term is also used as a short-hand for the wider medical system from which the placement of needles into the skin for therapeutic benefit and related techniques evolved. Thus "acupuncture" refers both to the therapeutic technique and the therapeutic system of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM). The other modalities included within AHM include a wide variety of physical and mechanical manipulations, herbal medicines, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle modifications. Clinically, acupuncture is increasingly offered in a variety of conventional medical settings such as hospitals, medical school clinics, veterans' healthcare centers, oncology facilities, and rehabilitation centers, and its safety profile is excellent overall. Barriers to further incorporation of acupuncture into biomedical sites include insurance coverage of acupuncture, education of conventional medical practitioners and other stakeholders about the utility, efficacy, and evidence base of acupuncture. Acupuncturists in the United States are skilled practitioners who are highly educated in the complex therapeutic system from which acupuncture arose and in the technical aspects of its utility as a treatment modality. The training, certification, licensure, and regulation of acupuncturists is similar to that of conventional providers such has physician's assistants, advanced practice nurses, and medical and osteopathic doctors. While clinical use and acceptance of acupuncture continues to grow, there is to date no definitive composite document explaining the utility of acupuncture in various healthcare settings, the current understanding of how acupuncture works, and the training, professional regulation, and certification of acupuncture practitioners. This article will address these topics and strive to create a reference for practitioners, administrators, legislators, insurance providers, patients and their families, and other stakeholders.

Perancangan Komik Digital sebagai Eksplorasi Visual Dampak dari Tawuran

Brawls in Indonesia, traditionally stemming from the student community, have evolved into a troubling phenomenon, raising concerns about the nation's future generations. To address this issue, the author undertakes a thorough analysis of the underlying causes that contribute to these brawls, aiming to formulate effective solutions as an alternative approach to handling the situation. This analytical process serves as a critical foundation for devising a comprehensive strategy. As part of the proposed solution, the author explores the potential of utilizing visual and persuasive elements, specifically through the creation of a comic medium. Comics are recognized as a powerful and accessible means of conveying messages that are not only engaging but also easily comprehensible across diverse segments of society. The objective is to develop a comic that serves not only as entertainment but also as an educational tool, providing a profound understanding of the consequences of conflicts. Through this approach, the intention is to impart valuable lessons and foster positive awareness, particularly among the younger generation, contributing to a more harmonious and informed society.

The influence of integrated marketing strategies on the adoption and success of IT products: A comparative study of B2B and B2C markets

This study explores the influence of integrated marketing strategies on the adoption and success of IT products, with a comparative analysis of Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) markets. Integrated marketing strategies, which combine various communication and promotional tools to create a cohesive and consistent message, have become increasingly critical in the competitive IT sector. The study examines how these strategies impact product adoption, market penetration, and overall success in both B2B and B2C contexts. In the B2B market, where decision-making processes are complex and involve multiple stakeholders, integrated marketing strategies are essential for building long-term relationships and demonstrating value. The study highlights how companies that effectively integrate content marketing, direct sales, and digital campaigns are more successful in gaining the trust and buy-in of corporate clients, leading to higher adoption rates of IT products. Conversely, in the B2C market, the emphasis on brand awareness, customer engagement, and personalization plays a crucial role. The study demonstrates that IT products marketed with a strong focus on social media, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising campaigns tend to achieve higher consumer interest and quicker market adoption. The comparative analysis reveals that while both markets benefit from integrated marketing strategies, the approach and emphasis differ significantly, reflecting the distinct needs and behaviors of B2B and B2C customers. This research contributes to the understanding of how integrated marketing strategies can be tailored to optimize the success of IT products in diverse market segments. It offers practical insights for marketers and business leaders on developing and implementing marketing strategies that resonate with their target audiences, thereby enhancing product adoption and sustaining competitive advantage. The findings suggest that a nuanced approach, sensitive to the specific dynamics of B2B and B2C markets, is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of integrated marketing efforts in the IT industry.. Keywords: B2B Markets, B2C Markets, IT Products, Influence, Integrated Marketing Strategies.

Consumer Acceptance Studies of Margarine to Guide Product Development in the Food Industry.

Margarine exhibits significant variations in composition, allowing it to cater to diverse consumer segments. This study aimed to characterize the physical and sensory attributes of margarine samples available in the Brazilian market. Twelve commercial samples from six different brands, encompassing 30% to 80% of lipid contents, were subjected to instrumental texture analysis and affective assessment. A total of 112 consumers participated in acceptance tests and Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) evaluations, while another group of 62 subjects performed Projective Mapping. Samples with lipid percentages exceeding 70% achieved the highest average acceptance scores for taste and overall impression. The brand with the lowest lipid content (30%) exhibited a stronger association with negative attributes, including rancid flavor and aroma, bitterness, and metallic flavor, resulting in lower average scores for aroma, flavor, texture, and overall impression. However, these scores were not statistically different from samples with 50% and 60% lipid content. Reducing lipid levels in fat-based products such as margarine poses a challenge to food manufacturers, as consumers generally perceive higher lipid percentages as indicative of superior flavor quality.

Generational Dynamics of Innovation Adoption in Chinese Consumer Markets: A Comprehensive Analysis

This extensive and comprehensive study delves into the intricate dynamics of generational responses to innovative marketing strategies within the dynamic landscape of the Chinese consumer market. Given China’s rapid economic growth and technological advancements, it has become imperative for businesses and marketers to grasp how different generations engage with marketing innovations. This study encompasses Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, each shaped by unique life experiences and societal contexts, resulting in distinct preferences and behaviors. Furthermore, the study offers a thorough analysis of how diverse generations in China interact with and respond to innovative marketing strategies, providing academic researchers and businesses operating in the rapidly evolving Chinese consumer marketing landscape with actionable insights. Understanding these generational dynamics is crucial for developing marketing strategies that resonate with diverse generational segments and harnessing the power of technology to connect with consumers across all age groups. The dynamic landscape is further enriched by the proliferation of digital technologies, social media platforms, and e-commerce ecosystems. This study scrutinizes how these generational cohorts interact with innovation in marketing, considering preferences, technological adoption patterns, cultural influences, and attitudes toward trust and privacy. Additionally, it examines generational disparities in marketing channel preferences, offering valuable insights for companies aiming to tailor their marketing strategies to effectively engage diverse generational segments in China. Importantly, this research underscores the strategic significance of understanding generational differences in marketing innovation adoption. It emphasizes that this knowledge is not solely an academic pursuit but rather a critical necessity for companies seeking to thrive in one of the most competitive consumer markets globally. By acknowledging and responding to the distinct preferences and behaviors of various generational cohorts, businesses can forge meaningful connections, optimize return on investment, and adeptly navigate the evolving consumer landscape.

A Comparative Study of Printed Fabric Product Lines and Design Concepts of Texstyle Ghana Limited

Purpose: This research investigates TexStyle Ghana Limited’s printed fabric design concepts over three decades, focusing on cultural heritage and consumer preferences, aiming to understand trends and patterns.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employs qualitative data analysis as the primary approach to investigate design concepts. The research method adopted for this study is a single-case method. The data is collected from TexStyle Ghana Limited (TSGL), a prominent textile printing company in Ghana, with a specific focus on their product lines and historical design trends. The data is analysed based on patterns, and themes within textual or visual data.&#x0D; Findings: TexStyle Ghana Limited (TSGL) offers four unique brands of printed fabrics catering to diverse consumer segments. Their design concepts reflect cultural motifs, traditional heritage, and bold African textile utilisation. TSGL's product lines, such as the Adepa Dumas and NuStyle collections, target specific demographics with distinctive design elements.&#x0D; Research Limitation/Implications: The study's limitation includes focusing on TSGL, although there are other printing companies in Ghana. However, the findings or implications could apply to other textile printing companies.&#x0D; Practical Implication: The research highlights the significance of considering customer preferences and cultural heritage in textile design for Ghanaian companies. These include traditional motifs, vibrant colours, and cultural symbolism that enhances competitiveness and customer satisfaction.&#x0D; Social Implication: Preserving Ghanaian cultural heritage through printed fabrics promotes representation, inclusivity, and global promotion of African art and fashion while catering to diverse consumer segments.&#x0D; Originality/Value: This industry-specific lens allows for targeted insights into the unique challenges and innovations in textile printing, contributing to a more granular understanding of Ghana's fashion landscape.

Exploring the Impact of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools on Green Product Purchase Intentions among Diverse Green Consumer Segments

In response to escalating environmental pressures and the growing global consensus on comprehensive green initiatives, marketers encounter the challenge of effectively communicating with diverse green consumer segments. The purpose of this study is to explore the preferences of different IMC tools among different types of green consumers and then attempt to propose effective communication tools for different types of green consumers to boost sustainable consumption. This study examined 13 widely used integrated marketing communication (IMC) tools and delved into their impact on the purchase intentions of different consumer segments toward green products. Meanwhile, departing from conventional approaches, we replaced consumer awareness with actual consumer behavior to more accurately segment green consumers. This distinction allowed us to categorize green consumers into three segments: light green (including colorless), medium green, and dark green consumers. By analyzing these IMC tools based on the dimensions of media richness theory—feedback, multiple cues, language variety, and personal focus—we found that (1) only three communication tools can effectively provide green consumers with different levels of green behavior with the green product information they need to enhance their green products purchase intention; (2) dark green consumers demonstrate a markedly stronger preference for these three types of IMC tools than the others; (3) there are significant differences in only two constructs, namely “feedback” and “language variety” among these three types of green consumers; and (4) both dark green and medium green consumers are more concerned about the level of personalization in messages than light green (including colorless) consumers. Ultimately, practical insights are provided to empower businesses and marketers in boosting consumer preference for green products.